On October 22, 2014 renowned, Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Eric Bernstein and his colleagues at the Main Line Center for Laser Surgery will contribute their time and talents by offering a 30% discount on all laser hair removal procedures with the proceeds benefitting City of Hope. Dr. Bernstein: “Laser hair removal is one of our most popular services. We gladly sacrifice one day’s proceeds to know that cures for cancer, diabetes and HIV/AIDS are one day closer.” Dr. Bernstein, through the online web resource The Patient’s Guide, www.patientsguide.com , will be recruiting colleagues to join him. “We are honored to have Dr. Bernstein’s talent and boundless enthusiasm as part of the City of Hope family.” Says Harry Giordano, Senior Director of Development, City of Hope’s Philadelphia Office.

Over 100 top salons and spas in Philadelphia and the Mid-Atlantic region will donate their time, services and 100% of their daily proceeds for the 19th annual “HopeCuts” event to benefit City of Hope. On Sunday, September 14, 2014 (or an alternative date selected by salons), staff come in on their day off and volunteer their time to help cut out cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. HopeCuts events and promotions will vary by salon, but may include specially priced services, entertainment, refreshments, raffle prizes and more. Special thanks to Raylon Corporation for serving as this year’s benefactor and parent sponsor). For a full listing of participating salons, please visit www.hopecuts.org and follow @cityofhopephila #hopecuts14 on Twitter. For more information about City of Hope, please call 1-800-344-8169, email hgiordano@coh.org or visit www.cityofhope.org.

One in three women will be diagnosed with cancer in her lifetime. On Saturday, September 13, 2014, this reality will unite survivors and supporters during the 17th annual Women’s Cancer Walk by City of Hope Philadelphia. Look for a parade of purple and listen for the outpouring of hope as walkers travel from Campbell’s Field (401 Delaware Ave, Camden), across the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, to the Arch Street Meeting House (320 Arch St, Philadelphia). Registration starts at 8:00am, and the walk starts at 10:00am. Registration is $25 for adults and $15 for children at www.womenscancerwalk.org. Share stories of hope by using @cityofhopephila #womenscancerwalk on Twitter, and liking City of Hope Philadelphia Office on Facebook.

Let there be free cupcakes for all! City of Hope Philadelphia celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Let Them Eat Cake with a new preview event at The Shops at Liberty Place. Today through March 27th, the Rotunda will be filled with fantasy cakes from past years created by The Merion and The Art Institute. Every day at Noon, score free cupcakes from participating bakeries (first come, first served). The fondant fun is a preview for the main event Let Them Eat Cake: Fantasy Weddings on Monday, April 7, 2014 at the DoubleTree Hilton. The preview event is free and open to the public during regular mall hours, with cupcake giveaways starting at Noon on all three days. For full list of bakers, judges and more info, click below.

St. Patrick’s inspired fun is about to take over the city’s top neighborhoods. From a new Irish festival, to special dishes in restaurants, to drinks behind the bar, to LGBT adventures, to going green with an eco spa treatment, there’s something for everyone this year. Enjoy Aversa PR's top client picks for the coming weekend! May the luck of the Irish be with you...

INAUGURAL HEADHOUSE IRISH FESTIVAL

Head to South Street Headhouse District and celebrate before and after the St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday, March 16th, from 11am to 7pm, with live Irish music, Irish dance performances, classic Irish food, drinks and food under the Shambles (Second Street between Pine and Lombard). Second Street will be closed between Locust and Pine, leaving plenty of room for dancing and partying.

Beer pouring during the festival will include Guinness, Smithwicks, Harp, Magners Irish Cider, Yuengling, and Coors Lite. In keeping with the Irish theme, you’ll also be able to get 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey, Jameson and Fireball shots. Seating will be available to enjoy the many Irish foods including Bangers and Mash, Lamb Stew, Shepherd’s Pie and Corn Beef Quesadillas. Kid friendly fare includes chicken tenders and hot dogs. Entertainment will include live music from Mark Monahagn Trio, a DJ, Irish dancers and the 2nd street Irish Society Pipes & Drums Brigade (after they head back from the St. Patrick’s Day Parade).Presented by Cavanaugh’s Headhouse and O’Neals Pub. All ages welcome, 21 to drink. FREE admission.

KISS ME I'M IRISH AND GAY

Join the official Gayborhood St. Patrick’s Day Party at U Bar (1220 Locust Street) with Kiss Me I’m Irish and Gay on Monday, March 17th, from 5:30pm to 8:30pm. Tickets are only $20 at the door and include one free drink, discount drink specials, discount beer specials, complimentary food from Terra, door prizes, a benefit raffle, music and surprises – including some good ole Irish fun and frolic. EVERYBODY is a little bit Irish on St. Patrick's Day so dress in green to win prizes. The event is open to everyone, gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgenders and family, friends and allies, from 21 to all ages. This annual event benefits City of Hope Philadelphia and QUEERtimes.net.

SERRANO AND TIN ANGEL

Serrano Restaurant and Tin Angel (20 S. Second St.) present a fun-filled weekend with live music, a new flaming drink and Irish food specials – plus special Monday hours.

Flight Agus Bite – A flight of four that showcases the diversity of Ireland. Enjoy two Irish whiskies (Jamison and Bushmills) from opposite ends of the spectrum, a pour of Harp Lager, paired with a Deconstructed Ulster Fry (Sausage, potato croquette, mushroom, housemade potato and soda bread).

At the bar, head bartender Shawn Gormley (past owner PBR in Old City) conspires with McCoy on two special new libations:

The McIlhatton Manhattan - A classic Manhattan only with a twist – Irish whiskey will be used instead of American, bourbon or Rye.

Flaming Irish Potato – This special shot is sure to put on a show by itself as it is lit on fire with unique sparks for a tongue-in-cheek poke at the rotten American candy! Featuring Malibu Coconut Rum, Bailey’s Cream and cinnamon.

Watch for weekend Harp and Guiness specials at the bar.

Upstairs at Tin Angel, on Saturday, March 15th, Don McCloskey returns to the Tin Angel for his annual St. Patrick's Day extravaganza. Tickets are only $12.00. Doors open at 9:30pm, with the show starting at 10:00pm. Don McCloskey is an independent artist based in Brooklyn, NY who infuses folk music with elements of rock, hip-hop, electronica, country, pop and world music. His lyrics often deal with the themes of love, sex, war, spirituality, world religions, American politics, his hometown (Bristol), literature and pop culture.

On Monday, March 17th, Serrano will open at Noon with the above specials and a full dinner menu. Normally Serrano is dark on Mondays.

SLICE

All three SliCE locations (Rittenhouse, South Philly, South Jersey) bring the luck of the Irish to the love of pizza. On Friday, March 14th, kick-off the weekend with “Free Friday” and find samples of the new “The St. Patrick’s” pie at the end of the rainbow. This new creation features a special family recipe of braised ham and cabbage, bacon and swiss cheese, topped with a spicy mustard. No purchase necessary for pizza samples. The pie will be available through St. Patrick’s Day and until the end of March. During the weekend, watch for in-house deals and special slices to welcome tourists traveling on the Erin Express.

Nick’s Roast Beef in Old City District (16 S. 2nd Street) kicks off a weekend of St. Patrick’s inspired fun – kicking things off early with a special Guinness Benefit on Thursday, March 13th, from 6:30pm to 8:30pm. Support Dennis Leary’s Rescue Me Foundation and earn a chance to win a fireman’s shirt and jacket. Money raised will support local fire houses in Philly’s smallest neighborhoods. Look for beer specials and promos, giveaways and other fun!On Friday, March 14th, Saturday, March 15th and Sunday, March 16th, Nick’s serves as home venue for the Luck of the Irish St. Paddy’s Day Bar Crawl with food and drink specials. Ticket info is found here.On Saturday, March 15th only, Nick’s features a special St. Patrick’s Day Karaoke Party starting at 9pm with Old City Karaoke and DJ Lars Peterson.On Sunday, March 16th, head to Nick’s before or after the St. Patrick’s Day parade for Corned Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes at only $8.99, plus Leprechaun Balls shots featuring Irish Whiskey and Baileys for only $3.00. Bud Light Aluminum Bottles (16 oz) will be specially priced at $4.00. Opens at 11am.On Monday, March 17th, Nick’s opens bright and early at 11am to get your St. Patrick’s Day day-drinking on. Corned Beef, Cabbage and Potatoes, Leprechaun Balls shots and Bud Light Aluminum Bottle special will be served again. For those with empty pockets after the weekend party, Nick’s serves up lunch specials for only $6.95! Day-drinking and lunch starts at 11am.

EVIAMA LIFE SPA

Go green for St. Patrick’s Day with specials at the region’s eco designed and operated spa! Eviama Green Spa and Boutique in Midtown Village (109 S. 13th Street) offers three discounted and specially designed services perfect for the lasses (and leprechauns) to pamper and rejuvenate themselves.

After a long weekend of some wee Irish spirits, detox with a special “Tea and Aromatherapy Wrap” featuring Nettle, Ginger, Holy Basil and Immortelle to get your system humming again. Featuring dry brushing and a special trip to the infrared sauna. For a warm fuzzy place at the end of the rainbow, enjoy a special trip to the infrared sauna without a service for $5.00 off all weekend.Will the luck of the Irish bring spring days ahead? Find out with our Back Work Kansa Wand and Citrus Body Scrub to prepare with strokes from the Kansa wand, exfoliate with aromatherapy blended Himalayan Sea Salts, and finish with one of the enchantingly rich Dr.Hauschka Body Moisturizers.

Finally, luxuriate in the amazing array of Dr.Hauschka formulas through a Dr.Hauschka Classic Treatment. Eviama is an exclusive retailer for this world-wide organic collection. Transition to the new season with your unique inner clock reset. This two hour rhythmical transformation includes lymph brush for the face, aromatherapy, foot soak and rub, head and arm stretches and much more. Plus save at the boutique on Dr. Hauschka shopping.

City of Hope Philadelphia celebrates ten years of fondant fun with Let Them Eat Cake: Fantasy Weddings on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 6:00pm at the DoubleTree Hilton (237 Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA). Brides-to-be, dessert fanatics and fondant foodies will sample creations from 40 professional pastry chefs and student bakers from around the tri-state region. Guests will enjoy a new Sweetheart Tablescape competition, Korbel champagne, live music from Back 2 Life by Brandywine Valley Talent, and the opportunity to meet celebrity chefs Marc and Benny (City Cakes NY) and John Moeller (former White House chef). Tickets are $40 in advance and $50 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at bit.ly/cohcake14 or by calling 215-985-0869. All proceeds benefit CityofHope to help cut out cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.

Dozens of local high school students start the new year with a lesson in giving back to the community by cutting out cancer. On Saturday, January 25, 2014, cosmetology students at Bucks County Technical High School (BCTHS) at 610 Wistar Road, Fairless Hills Pa 19030 will donate their time at the school’s third “HopeCuts” event from 9:00am to 2:00pm. During the HopeCuts, students will provide services for only five and six dollars, including haircuts, manicures, facials and conditioning/styling. One hundred percent of all money raised, including special product sales, will be donated to City of Hope to help cut out cancer, HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses. Festivities will also include baked goods, pizza and other snacks, plus raffles, product sales and prizes. For more about BCTHS, visit www.bcths.com or call (215) 949-1700, ext. 2088. For more information about City of Hope, please visit www.hopcuts.org or call 800-260-HOPE.

With the holiday season approaching, give yourself the gift of health and goodwill by stopping by Sweat Fitness this Sunday for 14th Annual Fitness for Hope. On Sunday, November 24, 2013, from 10:00am to 1:00pm, at the Queen Village Location (700 Passyunk Avenue), Sweat's best trainers will offer four special donation classes in spinning, wonder track, boxing and personal training. On top of getting your workout on, enter to win a raffle for a Breakaway Bike. Additionally, Santa can check off all the items on his gift list by purchasing a commemorative t-shirt, or winning some items in the silent auction. Donations of any size are accepted for this special event. Raise or donate $50 or more, and receive a gym bag valued at $50. Donation ribbons are also available to write the name of a loved one you want to remember or honor. For more information, visit www.sweatfitness.com or www.cityofhope.org, or call 215-627-5600.

Let the games begin! Watch as top salons from the tri-state area battle it out during the region's top Universal Warrior: Fantasy Hair Competition (formerly COH Hair Ball) on Saturday, November 2, 2013, at 8:00 PM, at Voyeur Nightclub (1225 St. James Place, Philadelphia, PA 19107). Salons will compete in seven different categories for top prizes valued over $5,000. Stylists will gather their "hair-raising" forces and prepare to enter the arena to compete head-to-head (literally) against the best coiffed warriors from all parts of history, time and space. Ten-dollar cover donation goes directly to City of Hope. For more information call 1-800-344-8169, email hgiordano@coh.org or visit www.hopecuts.org. All guests must be 21 years of age or older with identification.